Eagles veteran played like a ‘warrior’ in win vs. Panthers: ‘You got to kill me’

PHILADELPHIA — Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson played through pain on Sunday to inspire his teammates.

In the Eagles’ 22-16 win over the Carolina Panthers at Lincoln Financial Field, Gardner-Johnson left the game twice after taking hard hits.

During the first quarter, Gardner-Johnson tried to tackle Panthers rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette. As he approached Legette from behind, Eagles safety Tristin McCollum lowered his shoulder to tackle Legette but accidentally hit Gardner-Johnson’s helmet. Gardner-Johnson was evaluated for a concussion in the locker room and didn’t return until the second quarter.

Late in the fourth quarter, Eagles linebacker Zack Baun ran into Gardner-Johnson’s backside while tackling Panthers running back Chubba Hubbard. Gardner-Johnson remained on the ground for a few minutes before limping off to the sideline where he was evaluated for another injury.

Gardner-Johnson returned for the Eagles’ last defensive drive. At one point, Eagles safeties coach Joe Kasper tried to take him out of the game, but he refused to leave.

Throughout the season, Gardner-Johnson has led Philadelphia’s defense with his actions and words. On that final drive, Gardner-Johnson motivated his teammates to fight through pain and exhaustion to make plays. Ultimately, the Eagles made a fourth-down stop to beat Carolina.

“I think just going out there and just showing them that I still got it in me, regardless of how I am feeling,” Gardner-Johnson told reporters after the game. “It just feeds off everybody else. Everybody else keeps trying to play.”

Gardner-Johnson, who is 5-foot-11, 210-pounds, is tough for his size. He doesn’t hesitate when he comes downhill to make big hits — a playing style that leads to injuries.

He missed five games during the 2022 season with a lacerated kidney and missed 14 games last season with a torn pectoral muscle. This season, Gardner-Johnson has a fearless attitude.

“I’m not coming off the field. You got to kill me,” Gardner- Johnson said.

McCollum said Gardner-Johnson is a “guy that you’re going to have to drag off the field.” Teammates have embraced his mindset.

“He’s a warrior,” Eagles rookie edge rusher Jalyx Hunt said. “I think leaders like that on our defense are why we are able to produce at the level that we do. Because we just don’t want to sit out.

“We’re a physical team. We play through a lot. We play with a lot of emotion. I think that is just who he is. Like get knocked down and get right back up.”

Gardner-Johnson helped slow down Carolina’s offense. On the Eagles’ first defensive series, he delivered a massive hit on Legette, forcing an incompletion on third-and-10.

“I told him right when we got on the sidelines, ‘Way to set the tone.’ That’s a tone setter right there,” said McCollum, who started his first career game with safety Reed Blankenship out.

Late in the second quarter, Gardner-Johnson intercepted Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and returned the ball to Carolina’s 44-yard line. Seven plays later, the Eagles scored a touchdown, giving them a 14-10 lead at halftime.

Gardner-Johnson, who is one of the team’s biggest hitters and toughest players, has helped the Eagles’ defense be physical and resilient.

“(C.J) is a great player, a great teammate, brings the energy every single day,” Eagles rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean said. “He’s a tough player as you saw today. Goes down and comes back in and makes a big play in the game.”